Ohio State University trustees endorse strategic plan

Budget, construction and personnel actions also approved

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees today endorsed a new strategic vision for the future of the university. The plan, Time and Change: Enable, Empower and Inspire, follows historic university highs in applications, graduation rates, academic excellence, diversity and donor support.

The plan builds on the university’s existing strengths – including a vibrant student experience, research excellence, athletic prowess and a highly engaged Buckeye family.

Time and Change consists of five pillars of focus:

Teaching and Learning: Ohio State will be an exemplar of the best teaching, demonstrating leadership by adopting innovative, at-scale approaches to teaching and learning to improve student outcomes.

Access, Affordability and Excellence: Ohio State will further our position as a leading public university offering an excellent, affordable education and promoting economic diversity.

Research and Creative Expression: Ohio State will enhance our position among the top national and international public universities in research and creative expression, both across the institution and in targeted fields – driving significant advances for critical societal challenges.

Operational Excellence and Resource Stewardship: Ohio State will be an exemplar of best practices in resource stewardship, operational effectiveness, and efficiency and innovation. (see website)

University goals approved

Trustees approved the university goals and fiscal year 2018 targets. The goals align with the president’s 2020 Vision and The Ohio State University Strategic Plan for Ohio State surrounding access, affordability and excellence; community engagement; and diversity and inclusion. Fiscal 2018 goals include:

Teaching and Learning – Advance key initiatives that further establish Ohio State as a national leader in teaching and learning.

Access, Affordability and Excellence – Improve access, affordability and excellence and build on our leadership in the American Talent Initiative and University Innovation Alliance.

Research and Creative Expression – Strengthen the quality of our research programs.

Academic Health Care – Support and provide direction to medical center leadership to further enable solutions that improve people’s lives.

The board also approved construction projects and other university business.

2018 budget approved

The board approved the fiscal year 2018 budget. The budget provides for $6.6 billion of operating spending for the entire university, including the Wexner Medical Center and all campuses, in fiscal 2018. This represents a 5.8 percent increase over fiscal 2017. The budget supports the university’s priorities to advance teaching, learning, research and patient care, and the long-term strategy that Ohio State pursues to enhance access, affordability and excellence.

Key highlights:

Growth: Ohio State is now a $7 billion dollar (revenue) institution, driven largely by growth in the Wexner Medical Center. Overall, budgeted revenue for the consolidated university and medical center is expected to increase 2 percent compared with fiscal year 2017. The medical center now represents 48 percent of the consolidated budget.

Tuition and fees: The university is introducing the Ohio State Tuition Guarantee in fiscal 2018 to provide incoming first-year students with predictability as they plan for a four-year education while ensuring that colleges are able to maintain and enhance the quality of an Ohio State education. Tuition and fees now support 75 percent of the cost of instruction, with the remaining 25 percent funded through the State Share of Instruction.

Student financial aid: The university is expanding two programs that support Ohio students who demonstrate financial need. Ohio State will provide $25 million in President’s Affordability Grants this year, bringing the three-year total to $60 million. The President’s Affordability Grants are fully funded by administrative efficiencies. Ohio State will also expand the Land Grant Opportunity Scholarship program to increase awards for fiscal 2018 to cover the full cost of attendance.

Innovative funding: The university is investing more than $1 billion in upfront proceeds from the Comprehensive Energy Management Project in the long-term investment pool to support student financial aid, faculty and staff excellence, research support, sustainability and other strategic priorities. These uses will be reflected in the university’s fiscal 2019 operating budget.

Wexner Medical Center: Fiscal 2018 will be the first full year of operations for the Brain and Spine Hospital, Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute and Upper Arlington Outpatient Care Center. The health system also continues to benefit from operational efficiency programs and demand for care at The James. The health system will invest the $239 million in projected margin in clinical programs and prudent financial planning.

Capital investment program adopted

The board adopted the fiscal year 2018 capital investment program plan, which proposes $165 million in new projects to be completed over the next five years.

These include the renovation of Koffolt/Fontana Laboratories to support the Advanced Materials Corridor and the renovation and partial replacement of Postle Hall for the College of Dentistry.

Another $396 million will be spent in fiscal 2018 on ongoing projects including the renovations of Pomerene and Oxley Halls to support Discovery Themes, as well as renovations and repairs at all Ohio State campuses.

Utility system capital improvements approved

The board authorized Ohio State Energy Partners LLC to make capital improvements to university utility systems. Ohio State Energy Partners is the university’s energy concessionaire, created when Ohio State selected Engie and Axium Infrastructure to manage the university’s utility system. It will spend $6.8 million on four projects:

The board authorized the university to enter into professional services and construction contracts for the following projects:

Cannon Drive relocation – phase 2. The project will continue the relocation of Cannon Drive between John Herrick and Woody Hayes drives and raise Cannon Drive above the 500-year flood level. Trustees approved $3 million in professional services contracts for the design portion of the project, to be paid with university funds.

Waterman – multi-species facility. The project will construct a new facility to house multiple animal herds for teaching purposes, including sheep, swine, beef, equine and poultry, as well as parking, a 100-seat classroom, research lab and other spaces. Trustees approved $2.2 million in professional services. Total project budget is $15.4 million, to be provided by university funds.

680 Ackerman – IHC/Histology lab. The project will relocate the IHC/Histology group from Doan Hall to 680 Ackerman, renovating 8,000 square feet of space and installing a reverse osmosis water system and replacing the air handling unit. Trustees approved $5.2 million in professional services and construction contracts. Total project budget is $5.2 million to be provided by auxiliary funds.

Woody Hayes Athletic Center – East Wing renovation. The project will renovate the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, creating a new production kitchen, nutrition area, expanded lounge area, new recovery/rehab space, new team activity areas, staff offices and a small southeast addition to the building for storage. It will also renovate the existing players’ lounge and the first floor with additional amenities for player development. Trustees approved entering into $7.8 million in professional services and construction contracts. Total project budget is $7.8 million to be provided by auxiliary funds. Ninety percent of the project will be donor funded.

Property purchase approved

Trustees approved the purchase of two parcels of improved property at 2001 Polaris Parkway from Polaris 2004, LLC. The property houses an office, laboratory and research facility, which the university currently leases. The acquisition will be funded by the Wexner Medical Center and supports the medical center’s long-term need for laboratory and research spaces.

Property sale approved

The board authorized the university to sell a portion of unimproved property at 1782 State Route 38 in Madison County. The property is located at Molly Caren Agricultural Center adjacent to a privately owned house. The university has provided an easement for the owner for the last 25 years and rather than continue to grant easements, the university will sell the property. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Molly Caren Agricultural Center.

Joseph E. Brandesky has been appointed interim dean and director of The Ohio State University – Lima effective July 8, 2017 through June 30, 2018

Pelagia-Irene Gouma has been appointed professor and holder of The Edward Orton, Jr., Chair in Ceramic Engineering in the College of Engineering effective Aug. 22, 2017 through May 31, 2022

Christopher A. Holtmann has been appointed head men’s basketball coach in the Department of Athletics effective June 9, 2017 through June 30, 2025

Sorabh Khandelwal has been appointed professor-clinical and holder of the Samuel J. Kiehl III MD Professorship in Emergency Medicine in the College of Medicine effective Jan. 1, 2017 through Dec. 31, 2021

Sally V. Rudmann has been appointed faculty ombudsman in the Office of Academic Affairs effective Aug. 15, 2017 through Aug. 31, 2018

Norman W. Jones has been appointed interim dean and director of The Ohio State University – Mansfield effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018

Clark S. Larsen has been named Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Anthropology effective July 1, 2017

David H. Weinberg has been named Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Astronomy effective July 1, 2017

Lu Zhang has been appointed professor and holder of The John W. Galbreath Chair in Real Estate in the Fisher College of Business effective June 15, 2017 through Sept. 30, 2020

Michael B. Cadwell has been reappointed professor and holder of The Walter H. Kidd Designated Professorship in the Knowlton School of Architecture in the College of Engineering effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2020

Michael A. Caliguiri has been reappointed chief executive officer of The Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2021

Geoffrey S. Chatas has been reappointed senior vice president and chief financial officer in the Office of Business and Finance effective Feb. 14, 2017 through Feb. 13, 2020

Kristine G. Devine has been reappointed deputy chief financial officer and vice president operations in the Office of Business and Finance effective April 1, 2017

Melissa M. Drum has been reappointed associate professor and holder of the Alfred W. Reader Endowed Professorship in Endodontics in the College of Dentistry effective Oct. 1, 2017 through Sept. 30, 2022

Michael C. Eicher has been reappointed senior vice president for advancement and president of The Ohio State University Foundation in the Office of Advancement effective Nov. 1, 2017

Dennis R. Heldman has been reappointed professor and holder of The Dale A. Seiberling Professorship in Food Engineering in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences effective Sept. 1, 2017 through Aug. 31, 2022

Dorothee C. Imbert has been reappointed professor and holder of The Hubert Schmidt Chair in Landscape Architecture in the College of Engineering effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2021

Bruce A. McPheron has been reappointed executive vice president and provost in the Office of Academic Affairs effective June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2021

Karin Musier-Forsyth has been reappointed professor and Ohio Eminent Scholar in Macromolecular Structure Determination in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry effective July 1, 2017 through May 31, 2022

Walter J. Mysiw has been reappointed professor and holder of The Dr. Ernest W. Johnson Chair in the College of Medicine and chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2021

Michael Papadakis has been reappointed deputy chief financial officer, treasurer and vice president for financial services and innovation in the Office of Business and Finance effective April 1, 2017

David B. Williams has been reappointed dean and holder of the Monte Ahuja endowed Dean’s Chair in the College of Engineering effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2022

Foundation report accepted

The board accepted The Ohio State University Foundation report as of July 31, 2017, which includes the establishment of the Endowed Professorship for the Curator of Dance, two endowed scholarships as part of the Ohio Scholarship Challenge and 20 additional named endowed funds providing $2.7 million in private support to the university.

Advancement suite named

The board approved naming the advancement suite in Fisher Hall as the Sander and Mechele Flaum Advancement Suite in recognition of the Flaums’ generous contributions to Fisher to support activities of the faculty, students and staff as directed by the dean.

Conference rooms named

Trustees approved naming the conference room S2056 in the Davis Medical Research Center as the Rothermich Conference Room in recognition of Dr. Norman Rothermich’s 40 years of service as professor and founder of the Division of Rheumatology. Dr. Rothermich’s son, Don Rothermich, has generously supported the renovation of the conference room in memory of his father.

The board also approved changing the name of the Tanya R. Rutner Conference room in the Ohio Union to the Tanya Rutner Hartman Room to reflect her current name.

Hospital for Companion Animals internal spaces named

The board approved the naming of internal spaces within the new Veterinary Medical Center Hummel & Trueman Hospital for Companion Animals and Clinical Office Building in recognition of donors who have provided significant contributions to support the new facility:

Room 1021 – The Loann Crane ER Triage Exam Room

Room 1137A – The Dr. Robert Hamlin Cardiology Conference Room

Room 1017 – The Chloe Hinson Exam Room

Room 1066D – The Janet Johnston Operating Room

Room 1135 – The Josie and Coco Joy Echocardiogram Room

Autumn commencement degrees and certificates approvedTrustees approved the degrees and certificates to be conferred at autumn commencement ceremonies on Dec. 17, 2017, to students who have completed the requirements for their respective degrees and certificates.

The board also approved awarding three degrees posthumously: Almamy Coumbassa, bachelor of science in electrical and computer engineering; Zachary Franczek, bachelor of science with research distinction in earth sciences; and Cody Sweitzer, bachelor of science in welding engineering.

Honorary degree approved

Trustees approved the awarding of the honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund.

Degree revocation approved

The board approved the revocation of the doctor of philosophy degree of Jodi Whitaker.

Resolutions in memoriam approved

The board adopted resolutions in memoriam for the following persons:

David Mark Goss, professor emeritus of mathematics, who died on April 4, 2017

Robert L. Bartels, professor emeritus of exercise science, who died on June 6, 2017

John Chynoweth Burnham, professor emeritus of history, who died on May 12, 2017

Board of Trustees committee appointments approvedThe board approved the appointment of members to the following committees for 2017-18: